Sports Then and Now

While most of the attention tends to go to the big-time football and basketball players, there are actually hundreds of thousands of student athletes at colleges across the country.

As a student athlete, you’ve worked hard and played hard for years. Now that all of that hard work is paying off, it’s time to celebrate your successes and look forward to the future. When you’re dreaming of a collegiate or professional sports career, however, it can be easy to get caught up in the possibilities at the expense of preparation. Follow these 10 tips to keep yourself focused as a student athlete.

1. Manage Your Time Wisely – Invest in a planner and schedule your time to accommodate both school and your sport.

2. Learn the Game – Learn the fundamentals first. Then turn your attention to mastering the big picture. Understanding the strategy of the game and how the pieces fit together can give you an edge over your competition.

3. Practice Relentlessly – Even a natural-born athlete needs practice to hone those skills. No matter how good you get, don’t lose sight of the importance of practicing.

4. Find Your Mentors – Finding an experienced player or coach who can mentor you can be a powerful tool for improvement.

5. Minimize Distractions – Although video games and web surfing can be a fun escape, don’t get caught up in the distractions. Instead, spend your time in the classroom, on the field, and with the people who matter to you.

6. Don’t Shy Away from Failure – Failure is a necessary part of life. If you never fail, it likely means you didn’t try hard enough. Risk failure and push yourself out of your comfort zone to reach for the impossible.

7. Know What You Want – What do you want out of your athletic career? Examine your personal priorities and preferences. Knowing what you want improves your chances of success. Read the rest of this entry →